‘Care to Explain, Bernie?’: Bloomberg Questions Sanders on His Gun Control Record

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is going after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on the issue of gun control. 

Bloomberg took to Twitter on Monday with a few historical facts on the issue, which he says shows Sanders’ contradictory stance on gun control. In 1990, Sanders had the support of the National Rifle Association when he was elected to the House. 

The tweet also included a 90-second video questioning Sanders’ stance on gun control. One highlighted example was the controversy surrounding the Brady Bill.

For the 1993 Brady Bill, Sanders voted against enforcing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System deeming it an example of federal overreach.

Bloomberg explained how Sanders has spent 30 years voting in favor of bills that align favorably with the NRA’s stance.  

“The NRA paved the road to Washington for Bernie Sanders,” Bloomberg wrote in a tweet. “He spent the next three decades making sure they got a return on their investment. We deserve a president who is not beholden to the gun lobby.”

The NRA paved the road to Washington for Bernie Sanders.

He spent the next three decades making sure they got a return on their investment.

We deserve a president who is not beholden to the gun lobby.#NotMeNRA pic.twitter.com/HLYZe4J5PM

— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 24, 2020

Bloomberg went on to highlight the difference in his stance on gun control. 

“In 2005, I signed a local law allowing New Yorkers to sue gun manufacturers for criminal negligence. That same year, Bernie voted to give gun manufacturers IMMUNITY — overriding my efforts to make NYers safer. Care to explain, Bernie?” he tweeted.

In 2005, I signed a local law allowing New Yorkers to sue gun manufacturers for criminal negligence.

That same year, Bernie voted to give gun manufacturers IMMUNITY — overriding my efforts to make NYers safer.

Care to explain, Bernie?

— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 24, 2020

However, Sanders has said he stands by his current stance and insists he is advocating for stronger gun control.

In response to his past votes, Sanders argues that it was cast during a different time in America. Earlier this month, Sanders doubled down on his stance admitting again that “the world has changed.”

“In Vermont, until the last — two years ago — we had virtually no gun control legislation at all, and I represented that perspective,” Sanders said.

“The world has changed, and my views have changed,” he added. “And my view is right now, we need universal background checks. We end the gun show loophole. We end the so-called strawman provision. We make certain that we end the sale and distribution of assault weapons in this country.”